Lumbar Disc

The human body is supported by the vertebral column or the backbone. It is a system of bones which allows the body to function properly. Far from being one big structure, it is actually composed of 33 vertebrae, which are separated into four distinct areas. The cervical area is located near the head and is composed of seven parts of the neck. The thoracic spine has the most number of parts with 12 bones while the lumbar spine has five bones in the lower part of the body. The five sacral bones and the four cocygeal bones are distinct in that they are fused together.

Between the hard parts of the spine are sponge-like areas called discs. They are found in between the bones of the spine and function to reduce the stress that the spine endures during natural movement. Similar to shock absorbers, these discs protect the bones from damage. The lumbar discs are those which are found in the lumbar parts of the spine or that of the lower back. Unfortunately, these particular areas tend to degenerate as people age. In some cases, the soft material of the lumbar discs can rupture and deteriorate, causing pain for the person.